The opening defense witness in the Oregon City Faith Healing Trial of Dale and Shannon Hickman questioned why they're on trial when the state of Oregon allows home births with unlicensed midwives. Doctor Stanley Berry also testified he believes David Hickman was born with an infection and would have appeared healthy when in fact he was dying. The baby lived just nine hours.

Oregon Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo is one of several state school chiefs meeting with President Obama today. They're discussing ways to give states waivers from the No Child Left Behind Act. Castillo says School Districts need more flexibility in how to spend federal dollars. She's hoping waivers could be granted for Oregon during the current school year.

Oregon hiker Josh Fattal is savoring freedom the day after he and fellow hiker Shane Bauer were released from an Iranian prison. Fattal told reporters he's grateful to the country of Oman for helping to get them released on bail. Iranian authorities sentenced Fattal and Bauer to eight years in prison after they accidentally crossed the Iraqi border into Iran while hiking in 2009.

Oregonians will remember Senator Mark Hatfield during a public memorial at the State Capitol Saturday. Jack Robertson worked as a press secretary and legislative aid for the Senator for about nine years. He says the Senator is remembered for his firm commitment to the State; but he touched the lives of Oregonians individually. The Memorial is open to all. It begins at 2 pm. Senator Hatfield died August seventh at age 89.

Even though the official large-scale search for missing Cycle Oregon volunteer Mark Bosworth has been scaled back near Riddle, Oregon. Bosworth's family and friends are pressing on with the search for him. Bosworth’s wife, Julie says they think he's disoriented and confused and she's pleading with the public to help bring him home. Deckers Outdoor Corporation, the company that she works for, is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to his whereabouts.

The National Weather Service in Portland has a new radar that's expected to help with forecasting. Meteorologist in charge, Steve Todd, says it will help them in two ways. One is determining rainfall amounts; that helps in winter weather situations. The dual polarization radar will allow them to identify the types of precipitation as well. The radar is up and running now, and some information should be available to the public soon.

Oregon State Treasurer Ted Wheeler is proposing an Oregon Mutual Fund to invest in the State's entrepreneurs. Wheeler says the State needs to put more money forward if it wants to attract more venture capital dollars. That money could come from the Mutual Fund or the Oregon Lottery. They're working on a proposal for the 2012 Legislature to consider with hopes of passage in the 2013 session.

Washington Governor Chris Gregoire is ordering a 30 day special session to cut the budget. She says the “Pacman” strategy of budgeting won't cut it. Instead of taking small bites here and there, larger cutas are needed. She says state agencies should brace for up to 10% cuts. Sshe wants lawmakers to find $2-billion in savings when the session convenes after Thanksgiving.

The miracle boy who was rescued from drowning on the Washington coast has gone home. Dale Ostrander says he's excited to leave the hospital. He was underwater for 20 minutes when he was revived. His mother, Kirsten says he suffered brain damage, but expects him to fully recover. Dale still faces a lot of rehab work to retrain his brain.

Friends of Oregon hiker Josh Fattal are celebrating in Cottage Grove after learning that he and fellow hiker Shane Bauer were released from an Iranian prison earlier today. Tegra Fisk says after two long years, she and his other friends at the Aprovecho Research Center are "outrageously excited" that the men are finally free. Iranian authorities arrested Fattal and Bauer in 2009 and sentenced them to eight years in prison for spying and entering the country illegally.

Portland City Commissioners gather in front of City Hall to celebrate the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Portlander Shannon Murtaugh wanted to serve in the military for twenty years but could not because of her open sexuality. She thanked supporters who rallied for the repeal. Murtaugh says she faced a military tribunal in Okinawa, Japan after someone said she was homosexual. If she had been less-than-honorably discharged from the military, she would have lost opportunities for federal college grants and working in government jobs.

A grandmother took the stand in the Oregon City faith healing trial Tuesday. Karen White is Shannon Hickman's mother, the grandmother of Shannon's son, who died 9 hours after being born. Doctors have testified the child could have been saved with proper medical care. White says her faith trusts in God's healing. But White also admitted she has gone to eye doctors, dentists and an OB-GYN’s for birth control. White is married to the son of the founder of the Followers of Christ Church.

Portland City Council has voted to continue planning the Oregon Sustainability Center. It would be the most energy efficient building of it s type and located near the campus of Portland State University. School President Wim Wievel says it ties in with PSU's sustainability expertise. Designing the green technology for the building will support Portland based engineering and architectural firms. But, some councilor members voted against the proposal because the funding is in question, and the technology has yet to be developed.

Wilsonville High School's A-Cappella group "Soul'd Out" spent the summer taping for season 3 of the NBC show "The Sing Off" and their debut is Monday. There are 16 groups total in the competition, the producers broke them into two groups of 8 with the prize being a Sony recording deal and $200,000 dollars. Music Coach Sue Schreiner says with the success of glee plus the national exposure this show has brought to the school, sign-up's for choir this year have been very popular. Catch Soul'd Out next Monday at 8pm on NBC's "The Sing Off".

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley is trying to win support for his proposal that the Congressional Budget Office analyze the job impact of any bill considered by the so-called “Super Committee.” Merkley says the CBO is already scoring each bill's budgetary effect. The Super Committee's assignment is to cut the deficit, but Merkley says his proposal would keep the need for jobs front-and-center.

The postal service is not broke; that's the message from a rally by letter carriers in downtown Portland. Kevin Card is President of the Oregon Association of Letter Carriers and says that money exists in health care retiree accounts. He blames congress for mandating that those accounts be pre-funded for the next 75 years.

Firefighters who've been battling a blaze on Mount Hood for nearly a month now have it 90% contained with only a dozen or so hot spots still burning. But now they're worried about the return of warm and windy weather and will be watching for problems. Fire spokesman Bernie Pineda says they're confident the fire lines will hold.

Troy Fisher, 42, of Brush Prairie is being held without bail after making his first court appearance on charges he murdered his father. A judge granted the prosecutors request to deny bail. According to court documents; Fisher confessed to shooting and killing his father and then burning his remains and dumping bloody carpet and flooring in remote Clark County.

Finally some good news at the pump; things are looking “down”. Marie Dodds with Triple A Oregon credits the end of the summer driving season and a cheaper "winter blend" of gasoline. Diesel prices are also dropping. If you're filling up in Bend this week, our average is around $3.82.

The Oregon University system and the Service Employees International Union Local 503 reach an agreement that heads off a strike vote by union workers. The Union agreed to take more furlough days, but employees will also get pay raises, including a 1.5% Cost of Living increase on December 1st and a nearly 1.5% raise on January 1st, 2013, along with step increases. Employees will take as few as seven furlough days and as many as 11 from 2011 through 2013, depending on salary. The agreement is subject to approval by Local 503 members.

Cloudy skies and the threat of rain couldn't keep more than 4,500 volunteers from turning out statewide Saturday to remove trash and improve watersheds as part of the SOLV Beach & Riverside Cleanup. Volunteers removed an estimated 67,900 pounds of trash, and cleared 12.5 acres of invasive plants. Cleanups were at 125 sites in Oregon and SW Washington. Cigarette butts were again the most common item picked up across the state. 8 projects will take place next weekend as part of National Public Lands Day.

Douglas County Sheriff's deputies say a missing Portland man may have been hitchhiking early Saturday morning on Yocum Road in the Southern Oregon town of Riddle. Deputies say Mark Bosworth, a volunteer with the Cycle Oregon event, has been missing since Friday night, and may be suffering from a medical condition that causes confusion. Bosworth is described as six feet tall, weighing 180 pounds, with gray hair and blue eyes, last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, black pants and a hat.

Here's the official news release:

Mark Bosworth, a Principal GIS Specialist in Metro's Data Resource Center was reported missing on Saturday, Sept. 17. He was working as a staff member for Cycle Oregon and assisting with the event in Riddle, in Douglas County. He was last seen on at about 11:15 pm on Friday, Sept. 16, near Riddle City Hall.

He has recently been suffering from headaches. Bosworth is 54 years old. He is 6 feet tall and weighs 180 pounds. He has gray hair and blue eyes.

If you have any information about his location, please call the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at 541-440-4471.

Feel free to print this document and post it in locations where people who may have encountered Mark might see it.

Bosworth, a volunteer for Cycle Oregon, was last seen in the town of Riddle, in Douglas County, at about 11 p.m. on Sept. 16. Friends noticed his tent was empty the following morning.

His coworkers describe him as a survivor, an inspiration after two fights with cancer in the past years.

"The thing that most people think of with Mark, when you think of the past few years is how courageous he was with bouts of cancer," said Paul Couey, Metro's GIS manager. "He showed a lot of optimism through that, when a lot of us were feeling pretty dark."

That optimism, Couey said, is an inspiration to Metro staff today.

"At this stage, I think it's a lot less dire than that (cancer) was, and I'm trying to encourage people to follow the example he set and remain as hopeful as he can," Couey said.

At Metro, Bosworth provides analysis and mapping for planning and transportation clients. He has also been an adjunct professor at Portland State University.

Couey said Bosworth's generosity has led to an outpouring of support, both outside and inside the agency.

Some GIS analysts, Couey said, "want to study a map of where he is and figure something out, but feel helpless this far away. Still, there's certainly reason for optimism."

The auction begins Tuesday for the assets of the old Blue Heron Paper Mill in Oregon City. The mill was in business for over a century, and closed earlier this year after owners failed to find a buyer. The closure put about 175 people out of work. Officials with Capitol Recovery Group say more than 2600 items including storage tanks, spare motors, office furniture, copper cable and more will go up for bid during the three-day auction. A realtor is selling the 23 acre parcel separately.

For the 8th time in seven years, a new Oregon state park is opening. Bates State Park is just off of Highway 7 near the Austin Junction in John Day. Chris Havel with Oregon Parks and Recreation says it's also located near the popular Transamerica Bicycle Trail. He expects it to be very popular with bicyclists as well as hunters and fisherman.

Bob Moore, the founder of Bob's Red Mill, and his wife Charlee have donated $25-million dollars to OHSU to fund a new institute for nutrition and wellness. Doctor Susan Bagby says obesity, diabetes, autism, heart disease and other problems are linked to nutrition over a lifetime, and those habits are handed down. The Institute's mission is to stop development of those conditions through research and community outreach.

Carol Studenmund is the President of LNS Captioning, but lately she's been putting her typing skills to the test. The Portland-based company has just installed a captioning system for public announcements at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. The announcements appear as two lines of text at the bottom of the Duck Vision Scoreboard. They typist must be accurate, and be able to type about 250 words per minute. Studenmund says the systems are becoming more common at sports events across the country. The University of Oregon already has it at Knight Arena, Hayward Field is next.

Law enforcement officers say Oregon’s medical marijuana law is a train wreck. U.S. Attorney in Portland Dwight Holton says treatment providers have noticed a dramatic increase in the number of people seeking help. More than 50,000 people have medical marijuana cards, but fewer than 2000 use pot to control glaucoma, cancer or other end stage illnesses. Most of them use marijuana to treat anxiety or pain and Holton says Oregonians might not consider that the reason they voted to approve medical marijuana.

In day three of the faith healing trial of Dale and Shannon Hickman, the defense questioned Brian Pearson about why he was removed as lead detective. Defense attorneys contend prosecutors were trying to steer the course of the investigation but Pearson testified that was not the case.

A controversial issue at an Oregon school. The Canby School Board is considering a proposal to allow prescriptions for birth control pills or condoms to be given out at Canby High School. Many community members told the Board last night they're against the proposal. The board will vote on the measure next month. A Clackamas County health spokesman says more than 50-babies were born to mothers age ten-to-17 last year.

A witness in the Oregon City faith healing trial says he became concerned when prosecutor Mike Regan urged an outside review of David Hickman's death. This after a medical examiner concluded the newborn’s death could not have been prevented. Medical Investigator Jeff McClellan also testified that Regan told him he was concerned about how thorough detectives were being. Dale and Shannon Hickman are standing trial on manslaughter charges.

Cooks, IT workers and other non teachers will not be striking at Oregon’s seven public universities new two year deal was struck after a marathon bargaining session. For the first time employees have agreed to pay health insurance premiums. Di Saunders with the Oregon University system says the employees are getting a 3% Cost of Living Increase over two years and will continue to get some step increases.

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley supports the President's jobs plan. Merkley says money should be spent on infrastructure improvements and energy efficiency upgrades. He says the plan will create jobs and it’s the only strategy that will have a long-lasting impact on the deficit. He says that guarantees the work will remain in the U.S.

It’s good news at Oregon’s Department of Education when it comes to the Student Achievement Test – or S.A.T. test. Christine Miles says we actually ranked 22 among the states for the number of kids taking the college entrance exam. The State also set an historical record for the number of minority students taking the test. Overall, nearly 19,000 Oregon students who will graduate next year took the S.A.T. test.

The latest faith healing case began today in Oregon City. In opening statements, prosecutor Mike Regan says Dale and Shannon Hickman are guilty of second degree manslaughter by failing to seek medical care before their premature son born at home died. Defense attorney Mark Cogen counters that midwives belonging to the Followers of Christ Church were there when David Hickman was born and then died. This is the fourth trial involving members of the church.

The cool, wet start to Oregon’s growing season has pushed the wine grape harvest back a bit. Winemaker Sam Tannahill says the recent turnaround to hot summer weather is unusual, too. But he says things are looking good to be well into the harvest in the north Willamette Valley by the third week in October. As for what this year's vintage will bring Tannahill says he doesn't know, but that's the interesting part of making wine.

Gas prices in Oregon increased a penny last week to $3.84, diesel was also up a penny to $4.06. Marie Dodds, with Triple-A, says this is the time when prices typically start to fall. The economy and the hurricanes combined to cause prices to increase over the last few weeks. Dodds says that later this month, prices should continue to decline.

William Mayo Dunlop, 68, was arrested Friday at his Beaverton home on charges of sex abuse dating back to the late 1990s through 2002. Lieutenant Gregg Hastings with Oregon State Police says investigators are concerned there may be more victims. Hastings says the victim was a young girl when the alleged abuse occurred. She’s now 22, and only recently came forward to Columbia County Sheriffs. Dunlop is being held in Washington county jail on $250,000 bail. Detectives investigating the case are concerned there may be more victims and are asking anyone with information to contact them.

The economic recovery is stalled. For the fourth month in a row, the University of Oregon Economic Index has declined. Economist Tim Duy says without government intervention; it's going to be a slow, painful recovery. The high unemployment rate combined with a lack of consumer confidence is keeping spending down. When consumers start to spend, then businesses will start to hire and the economic recovery will resume.

The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles is upgrading their knowledge testing devices; those are the computers you use when you take the test to get a driver license. David House with DMV says they'll be working on the upgrade for the next six or seven weeks. You can get a schedule of the closures at Oregon.gov.

Democratic members of Oregon’s Congressional delegation react to President Obama's Jobs Act speech. Congressman Earl Blumenauer says he thinks Republicans will get on board with the proposals in Obama's plan: “ I would say 90% of them are things that have actually been supported by Republicans in the past.” Congressman Peter DeFazio points to tax cuts, which he says, are there specifically for Republicans, not that he approves: “Tax cuts, we’ve been doing for 11 years. They don’t put people back to work. And you don’t have a job, you don’t get a tax cut.” Congressman Kurt Schrader: “I think some of the small business pieces, will probably end up seeing the light of day.” All three like proposals to create jobs through improvements to infrastructure.

Governor Kitzhaber addressed a crowd in northwest Portland about his plans to overhaul education. Gregg Kantor is co-chair of the Cradle to Career Council and says it's a long term plan. Kantor says changes are needed because only about 60% of Portland area students are graduating on time from high school.

Nike is going back to the future. It's created a limited-edition shoe based on the model audiences saw in the 1989 movie ”Back to the Future 2.'' Sneaker and movie fans have urged the company for years to create the shoe. Nike will release 1500 pairs of the 2011 Nike Mag sneaker. It will auction them on E-bay and donate proceeds to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Governor Kitzhaber left for Asia Sunday with a delegation that will be promoting Oregon. The Governor plans to re-establish the state's commitment to Japan, which is still recovering from the earthquake and tsunami. Kitzhaber will meet with South Korea about a possible new trade agreement. The delegation also plans to sign an agreement for a program that would make it easier for Oregon farmers to export to China.

A routine repair in Yuma, Arizona caused the massive power outage last week. But why it spread to such a large are remains under investigation. Michael Milstein with the Bonneville Power Administration says they hope to learn from the outage. They had a similar, but worse incident here in 1996 when a tree hit a power line. One factor in the outage that hit the southwestern U.S. is the above normal temperatures. The grid was near its limits and when the failure happened, and causes a cascading effect of outages.

Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber flew over the 4,600-acre Dollar Lake Fire on Mount Hood Saturday, witnessing the damage first-hand. He declared a state of emergency because of the growing number of wildfires across the state. The Oregon National Guard was mobilized to help with firefighting efforts.

The fire is within three miles of the Bull Run Watershed and eighteen miles from the intake of the City of Portland's drinking water. Red Flag Warnings cover the Cascade Range through Sunday.

And-

Wildland firefighters on Mt. Hood are getting some help from the Oregon National Guard. Tech Sergeant Nick Choy says two helicopters and crews from the Guard's C/7-158 aviation unit are helping fight the Dollar Lake Fire burning in the Mt. Hood Wilderness. Hot Shot crews from Alaska and California have also arrived to help.

Today Governor Kitzhaber will get a closer look at the Dollar Lake Fire on Mt. Hood. He'll fly over the fire that's burned more than 4600. “In these kind of fire conditions, anything adjacent to a wildland fire is potentially threatened.” The Shadow Lake Fire near Sisters is now 15% contained and at 6700 acres. Paul Norman with the Fire Command Center says a number of campgrounds are still closed. “They're trying to push it to the south towards a lava field that would be a natural barrier where it would not be able to get over the to Clear Lake Recreation Area." He says so far, crews have been able to keep the fire away from buildings there.

Crews have been unable to contain the Monastery Complex Fire burning in Goldendale in south central Washington. 100 homes within the fire perimeter are threatened, nine have been destroyed, with 300 more at risk outside the perimeter. Carol Connolly with the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center says smoky, windy conditions have hindered efforts by the 450 personnel assigned to fight the blaze.

The Oregon Health Authority came away with a mostly clean bill of health after a Secretary of State audit. Auditor Gary Blackmer says they looked at how many kids were enrolled in a federally funded program to get health coverage for uninsured kids. It turns out the Health Authority had miscounted the eligible kids and applied for four million dollar it didn't deserve. Fortunately the error was caught before the money was paid out.

A labor dispute turns nasty at the Port of Longview as 500 longshoreman stormed the port property early this morning. Longview Police Chief Jim Duscha says the protesters were gone by the time they had enough officers to handle the crowd. The union is upset about their workers not getting jobs at the grain terminal at the port.

Restaurants and alcohol sellers and servers have an easier way to renew or apply for a permit now. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission, also known as the OLCC has launched a website that can make the permitting process quick and easy. Renewal dates for liquor licenses are determined by the location of the business. Oregon is divided into four renewal districts, with all licenses within a district expiring on the same date. License renewal applications are mailed approximately two months before the licenses expire. A link to the OLCC website is on the links page.

Demonstrators from a union dispute in Longview blocked a grain train in Vancouver, Washington this morning. Gus Malonas with Burlington Northern says 200 people were on the tracks. The Longshoremen's Union is protesting the port of Longview, because another union was selected to run the grain elevator terminal.

A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order last week to limit the Longshore Union's activity, after federal officials alleged the protesters engaged in death threats and assaults.

The Oregon Humane Society wants you to remember your pets in the hot weather. David Lytle says especially outside dogs need a cool place to stay. Disaster can mean heat exhaustion or heat stroke, which can lead to death. He also says don't take your pets in the car with you in the heat and maybe go for walks or to the dog park in the cooler hours of the morning or evening.

Two Fort Lewis soldiers have been arrested on rape charges. Portland Police Lieutenant Robert King says two teenaged girls, ages 15 and 17, tell police they were assaulted by multiple men in a downtown Portland hotel over the weekend. Timothy Hartbeck, 22, and Stephan Bardos, 27, were arrested on multiple sexual assault charges. Lieutenant King says more suspects may be identified as the investigation continues.

Enhanced patrols over the Labor Day holiday appeared to help keep the number of crashes involving fatalities down. Oregon State Police Lt. Gregg Hastings says three people were killed in crashes; two on a motorcycle in Clackamas County and a man was killed in Grass Valley when his truck went off Highway 216 and fell 400-feet down a hillside. 70 people were arrested for driving under the influence.

You’re paying more at the pump for gas. Triple-A's Marie Dodds says the heavy travel over Labor Day weekend increased demand. But production was reduced because of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Dodds says that by the end of September, prices should begin to fall again. The average for gas in Bend this week is $3.78.

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley would like the President's jobs plan to focus on freeing up more loans for improving energy efficiency in homes and businesses. Merkley says it not only puts people to work, but the products are made in America. Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio would like to see a bigger focus on infrastructure projects. He says the stimulus didn't create enough jobs because it had too many tax breaks and not enough shovel ready projects.

Workers across the country had the day off to relax and recreate; but others have the day off because they have no choice. They've been unemployed for months. For many, over a year and their unemployment checks have run out. Ron Rigsby is graduating from Job Corps and feels confidence he'll find a job. But others, especially those in their 50's and 60's, say there are too many people looking for jobs. And their chances of finding work are minimal, especially as younger workers go back to school to pick up additional skills and are willing to work for a lot less.

When the currently burning wildfires in Oregon are finally put out, there’s a good chance public agencies and private companies will follow a procedure developed after the 1966 Oxbow fire in southern Oregon. Shane Rossbach with BLM says the Oxbow was historic as the first fire put out solely by human efforts. Those crews had no help from the weather. The 42,000 acre fire required government and private fire crews work together. He says that cooperation continued in the development of plans to re-plant, manage and protect forests.

You may've heard about that Portland College Student whose car and all his belongings were stolen the night before he moved into his dorm. The Oregon Insurance Division says every parent should consider how to prevent a big loss and include the proper insurance for their child. Cheryl Martinis at the Oregon Insurance Division says if your kids are heading to college right now, it’s a good idea to talk to your agent.

Oregon State Police identify a man killed in a crash yesterday morning off State Highway 216 as Andrew Middleton, 53, of Grass Valley. Troopers say Middleton's pickup truck apparently went out of control near Grass Valley and rolled hundreds of feet down a hillside after crashing through a guard rail. Middleton was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation. Police believe the accident happened sometime late Sunday night or early Monday morning.

Police shut down a portion of Portland International Airport Sunday, after a passenger noticed what appeared to be a timing device on one of the south-end baggage conveyors around 2:15 p.m. MAX service to the airport was also halted as bomb squad personnel investigated. Authorities say there was no danger, and the lower level of the terminal where the baggage claim area is located, was reopened around 5 p.m.

Clackamas County sheriff's deputies say a nine-year-old boy is recovering after he shot himself in the foot yesterday while participating in target practice with his father. Deputy Nate Thomas says the wound is not life threatening. The incident took place off Highway 223, where the family was camping near the Clackamas River. The boy was taken to a hospital.

A Portland woman was killed Sunday morning in a crash at the Three Rivers Recreational Area. Carrie Shaver, 37, was a passenger on an ATV driven by a Portland area man who failed to stop for a stop sign, failed to negotiate a right turn, and went over a 30 foot embankment. Shaver was pronounced dead at the scene. Jefferson County deputies suspect speed and alcohol are involved. The male driver was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A Boeing 747 left PDX for the first time Friday heading straight for South Korea, non-stop. Steve Johnson with the Port of Portland says it's the first flight of new cargo service from Asiana. The plane was loaded with all kinds of products for the Asian markets. The flights will leave three times a week and are being seen as a way for local businesses to get their products out faster to Oregon’s top three trading partners: Japan, Korea and China.

Randall McCoy, 26, tried to elude Oregon State Police on I-5 in Wilsonville. He left the freeway went to the Costco parking lot where he ran from his car. State Police Lt. Gregg Hastings they tracked him to the nearby Sysco Food Company. He was trying to pay employees there $100 to get a ride from the area. No one gave him a ride and police took him into custody. He faces seven charges including driving without a license, driving a stolen car and attempt to elude.

University of Oregon freshmen and transfer students under age 21 are being asked to complete a web-based alcohol education course before they get to campus. Jennifer Summers with the Substance Abuse Prevention Program says the course helps young students understand the dangers of alcohol. The two-part on-line class includes a test for comprehension, which students must pass by 80%. It also helps students understand the meaning of "consent" related to sexual relationships, and how alcohol could change the definition.

A ceremony to honor three police officers hit by a driver ten years ago was delayed in Albany this morning. It happened after another crash on I-5 in almost the exact place. Oregon State Police Lieutenant Gregg Hastings says it appears one driver had slowed down to look at the ceremony when he was rear ended by another driver who failed to slow down. The crash shut down northbound traffic for about half an hour.

A Portland man was running a pyramid scheme called "INC" for "I Need Cash". Lisa Morawski with State Consumer Services explains how it worked: “It was getting investors to pay $250 and if the investor was able to recruit other investors, they were promised a payoff.” Kristopher Keeney paid some people early but stopped as the scheme fizzled out. Now he will pay a $345,000 fine.

A fire burning in a wilderness area near Sisters in the Central Oregon Cascades is being allowed to take it’s course. The fire was started by lightning and is being monitored by a special national team. Jeree Mills, at the Northwest Coordination Center, says they'll make sure it doesn't get out of control and doesn't threaten private property. It's one way to lower the cost of fire fighting, when it's a naturally caused fire and doesn't run the risk of destroying private property.

A heartbreaking act of animal abuse was carried out in front of morning rush hour commuters in Portland as several live kittens were thrown out of a moving car. Pyper McFarland rescued one of the kittens. Another driver picked up second and brought it to an animal hospital, and a third kitten could not be found. Investigators say the animal abuse could result in a year in jail, but with no license plate number, they're not optimistic about finding the people involved. The only information they have is that they were thrown from a gold minivan.

The civilian leader of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team has been arrested for sexual abuse of a 16-year-old girl who was a volunteer on the team. Chief Deputy Jason Gates says Brandon Liggett, 30, was arrested Wednesday night. Liggett's job was to manage civilians on the team, and coordinate training and search and rescue missions. He’s charged with sex abuse in the third degree. A detective from the Oregon State Police is conducting the investigation.